Decomposition is one of the most important phenomena which recycles both organic and inorganic raw materials in the ecosystem. The decomposition forms a detritus food chain, which begins with dead and organic matters.
Detritivores (e.g., earthworm) break down detritus into smaller particles. This process is called fragmentation.
By the process of leaching, the water soluble inorganic nutrients go deep into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.
Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler inorganic substances. This process is called as catabolism.
Humification is the accumulation of a dark-coloured amorphous substance called humus which is highly resistant to microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate.
The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release of inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as mineralisation.